#41: OLIVIER, Laurence: Henry V (1944)
OLIVIER'S SHAKESPEARE BOX SET {Henry V -- #41 / Hamlet -- #82 / Richard III -- #213} OOP
OLIVIER, Laurence (United Kingdom)
The Booklet
Six-page wraparound with essay by Bruce Eder, who does the commentary. Informative.
Commentary
Eder is great, helpful with the sometimes difficult Shakespeare, and always attentive to some of the wonderful details about the film; analyses of scenes; behind-the-scenes stories, biographical details about the actors and crew.
Royalty chart
OLIVIER, Laurence (United Kingdom)
Henry V [1944]
Spine #41
DVD
OOP
DVD
OOP
Laurence Olivier got out of the navy to film this adaptation of Shakespeare's great history play Henry V, and Britons, embroiled in World War II, took courage from the tale of a king who surmounts overwhelming odds and emerges victorious. Olivier's sumptuous Technicolor rendering features a thrilling re-creation of the battle of Agincourt and Sir Laurence in his prime as director and actor.
137 minutes
Color
Monaural
1:33:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2006
Director/Writers
Screenplay by Alan Dent and Laurence Olivier.
Olivier was 37 when he directed Henry V.
He was one of three British actors of the mid-20th century who are all widely considered to be three of the greatest of all time — the other two being Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud.
Olivier had a long and storied career as an actor, but as a director only directed four other films, including the other two Shakespearean dramas in The Criterion Collection: Hamlet and Richard III.
Other Olivier films in the Collection:
The Film
Partially funded by the British government, Henry V was intended as a morale booster, and was quite successful in that regard. A Technicolor marvel, this film makes Shakespeare accessible to the average moviegoer through the magic Olivier worked with his imaginative format.
After a remarkable opening bird’s-eye shot, panning over a model London, ending at the Globe Theatre, the Chorus (the remarkable Leslie Banks) enters and introduces the play. This morphs into the first scene where the Archbishop of Canterbury (Felix Aylmer) and Bishop of Ely (Robert Helpmann, hilarious) provide some true comedy.
Soon, Olivier leaves the stage setting and gently pulls the viewer into the film proper. A good two hours later, he returns us to the stage at the Globe, where the actors take their well-deserved bows — especially Robert Newton (Ancient Pistol) and the lovely Renee Asherson (Princess Katherine).
Film Rating (0-60):
55
The ExtrasThe Booklet
Six-page wraparound with essay by Bruce Eder, who does the commentary. Informative.
Commentary
Eder is great, helpful with the sometimes difficult Shakespeare, and always attentive to some of the wonderful details about the film; analyses of scenes; behind-the-scenes stories, biographical details about the actors and crew.
Royalty chart
“Shakespearean Royalty,” a chronology of England’s rulers.
This is a really helpful chart showing the history of the English kings and queens.
Still gallery
including the Book of Hours and production photos.
Theatrical trailer
Extras Rating (0-40):
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